Expert Contributors and Contact Details 

Mike Fleetham

Thinkingclassroom.co.uk

Executive Coach, Mediator and Pedagogue.

Mike works with children, educators and leaders to make learning more effective and more enjoyable. Mike has worked through 1000s of adults to improve the holistic outcomes of 10000s of children 

CPOMS 

CPOMS is the trusted provider of safeguarding, wellbeing and pastoral software used by over 20,000 settings worldwide. Its systems support a wide range of establishments, including nurseries, primary and secondary schools, colleges, charities and sports clubs, in ensuring the wellbeing of pupils and staff. The systems also aid Local Authorities by simplifying the sharing of sensitive pupil information to streamline the safeguarding process. As part of the Raptor Technologies family, CPOMS continues to expand its capabilities and partnerships. To learn more about integration options, visit this page.  

The CPOMS product portfolio includes

• CPOMS StudentSafe is the market-leading software application for monitoring child protection and safeguarding.
• CPOMS Engage simplifies the sharing of sensitive pupil chronologies across settings for collaborative care.
• CPOMS Insight is a powerful data visualisation tool for safeguarding and wellbeing data built specifically for Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs).
• CPOMS StaffSafe allows schools to capture low-level concerns, meet compliance requirements and record welfare information on all school personnel.
• CPOMS VisitorSafe is a safeguarding-first system connecting visitor activity to safeguarding records.

John Rees 

www.pshesolutions.co.uk 

John is dedicated to improving safeguarding, learning, and life chances for children and young people through professional development.
A former senior leader with 12 years of teaching experience, he led a major health education project from Exeter University involving over 200 schools worldwide.
Since 2006, John has worked independently with Local Authorities, schools, and organisations to support safeguarding and school improvement across the UK and internationally.

Adele Deasy 

Educational Consultancy | Plan A Dynamic Consulting Ltd

Adele works alongside schools and organisations to strengthen leadership, sharpen strategy, and inspire teams. With a proven track record in headship and national leadership programmes, her approach blends evidence, creativity, and practical tools to deliver results that matter.

Ian Hickman

mr.hickman@skylarkfed.co.uk

Ian is a highly qualified and experienced educational leader, being the Executive Headtacher of the Skylark Federation and Vernham Dean Gillum's Primary School. In addition to his headship role, Ian holds the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL), is a Master of the Chartered College of Teaching (MCCT) and a Chartered Educational Assessor (CEA), reflecting his dedication to professional development and educational standards. Ian's expertise lies in leading Church Schools, federated school structures and driving excellence across primary education. 

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Lisa Collins

Headteacher 

Norman Gate School

Norman Gate School is a primary special school in Andover, Hampshire, catering to children aged 2 years and 9 months to 11 years with a moderate to severe range of additional learning needs. With small class sizes and a dedicated team of teachers and learning support assistants, the school provides a nurturing and inclusive environment that supports each child’s development. Safeguarding is a top priority, with a designated safeguarding lead and 3 deputy safeguarding leads ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all. 

Deborah McMillan 

leading4chidlren@gmail.com

Deborah McMillan is a highly experienced leader in children’s services and safeguarding, with a career spanning over three decades. She has served in multiple strategic roles including:

• Children’s Commissioner for Jersey (2017–2022), where she led the island’s first independent office for children’s rights following the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry. Her work focused on embedding the UNCRC, amplifying child voice, and driving systemic change.
• Director of Children’s Services in the UK, where she oversaw transformation and improvement in local authority safeguarding and social care provision.
• DfE Safeguarding Facilitator for local authorities, supporting multi-agency safeguarding partnerships and reform implementation, including the Working Together 2023 guidance and Stable Homes Built on Love strategy. 
• DfE-appointed Children’s Social Care Commissioner for Herefordshire, tasked with overseeing improvements in a local authority rated “inadequate” by Ofsted. She previously served as the DfE Improvement Advisor for the same council. 
• Independent Scrutineer
• Providing support and advice to Safeguarding Children’s Partnerships

Deborah’s background also includes work as a police officer and teacher, giving her a unique cross-sector perspective on safeguarding, rights, and child protection. She is known for her commitment to child voice, trauma-informed practice, and strategic system reform.

Louis Donald

Principal Safeguarding Partner, EduShield 

Louis is the Founder and Principal Safeguarding Partner at EduShield, a specialist consultancy dedicated to safeguarding and major incident preparedness in education. Through EduShield he supports education settings and international schools with safeguarding, critical incident prepardness and leadership development.

Previously, Louis was the Executive Education Director at Creative Education Trust, responsible for Safeguarding, Child Protection, Personal Development, Corporate Communications and Marketing, and line managed Principals and Headteachers as a de facto Executive Principal. Louis continues to support the Trust in its safeguarding work through EduShield.

A highlight of his time at CET came in May 24, when he was charged with leading a new directorate delivering a trust-wide strategy for personal development, safeguarding and communication. Louis introduced frameworks that strengthened safeguarding practice, aligned personal development with wider priorities and ensured consistent standards across schools.

With extensive leadership experience, Louis has built a reputation as a specialist in safeguarding, school improvement and preparing leaders for inspections and wider strategic development. After serving in Policing, he moved into school leadership before becoming Safeguarding Director at a regional Multi-Academy Trust, overseeing SEND and Attendance. He has also held a number of school leadership roles: Designated Safeguarding Lead and Vice Principal.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Louis supported the Department for Education by advising civil servants and contributing to ministerial briefings, including direct input to the Prime Minister, on the government’s safeguarding strategy. His work focused on attendance, children in need and the safe reopening of schools.

Louis is the the first educationalist to qualify as a strategic commander for major and critical incidents and civil emergencies. 

Louis has served as a non-executive Director for a large multi-academy trust, chaired the Queen Street Group Safeguarding Directors group, and is a member of the British Army’s Independent Advisory Group.

He is also the founder and a board member of the National Association of Safeguarding Directors in Academies (NASSA).

Recognised for his calm and professional manner even in the face of complex challenges, Louis is a passionate advocate for safeguarding and the welfare of children and young people. His commitment is to empower leaders with the confidence, strategies and resilience they need to create safe, supportive and high-performing schools.

MANY MORE EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS DETAILS TO BE ADDED SHORTLY